Smoked: Caldwell Lost & Found Spoon

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

Caldwell’s Lost & Found Spoon belicoso is a medium-full bodied, medium strength cigar in the Caldwell tradition of finding hidden gems of aged tobacco.

The pre-light draw is a bit tight, but I’m hoping it will open up after I fire up the cigar. Didn’t happen. The draw is very tight. There’s precious little in the smoke output arena. I’m getting faint and fleeting (and therefore often unidentifiable) flavor notes. So…let’s open it up with the cigar reamer. I get a little nervous using it on smaller viotlas, especially a belicoso – fearing I’ll damage the cap as well as crack the wrapper. My hands are just not that steady. It’s why I never could become a surgeon. Cigar reamers should include pinpoint GPS positioning and a gyroscope to hit the precise middle of the head.

Success! After reaming, the draw opened up as did the flavors. Ah! There’s the Caldwell aged tobacco along with mild spice and a splash of pepper, coffee, dark chocolate, leather, grass and floral notes. By the time we’re close to the second third, I do a double take after a few puffs. I’m getting flavors similar to the La Barba Purple – a pleasant surprise. It’s one of my favorite cigars (lancero, please). Now I’m thinking Caldwell and Bellatto may have collaborated on this. It’s as if they turned down the volume knob for a ballad version of the Purple.

The ash held on pretty tight with a fairly even burn line. It did require a few touchups. Halfway through the smoke though, the draw tightened up again. I consider the alternatives. I really like the flavors when the draw opens up so I will “go where no cigar smoker has gone before”…well, at least this cigar smoker. I get out the cigar reamer for a second time.

The stick opens up nicely once again and the flavors and smoke output return. Despite two reams and a couple of toothpick punches, there are no issues with the cap or the wrapper – not the slightest bump or tear in the wrapper. I’m impressed with the construction. I would give it a 5 but you have to subtract a point for the tight draw.

On the final third pepper joins the chorus with accentuated leather and mineral notes. Light the audience applause sign for the finale.

Caldwell’s Spoon is a very nice, enjoyable smoke. It’s one of the best of the Lost & Found collection. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.